Scouting the 2020 NFL Draft: Adversity has shaped LSU CB Kristian Fulton

In a stacked 2020 NFL Draft cornerback class, LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton is one of the top players at the position. How high could he go?

LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton enters the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the most highly regarded players at his position. It didn’t come easy, though. The young prospect battled through plenty of adversity and bumps in the road to get to where he is at today. While things may not have gone as well as he had hoped when he chose to commit to LSU, the struggles he faced made him into the player he is today.

Fulton was a five-star prospect coming out of Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana. He had many offers from schools, including Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, and Arizona State, before committing to LSU. Not only would he be able to stay in his home state, but he had the opportunity to play for a school that is known for pushing out top cornerback talent.

During his freshman season in 2016, Fulton only played three games. His time to shine would have come in 2017, his sophomore season, but he was suspended for tampering with a drug test in which he tried to pass off another student’s urine as his own. The original suspension was set for two years, but after missing out on the 2017 season, his appeal was approved to return to the field.

In his first game back against Miami in the home opener, just a couple of weeks after being allowed to play, Fulton wasted no time proving he could play at a high level. Opposing offenses were scared to test fellow cornerback Greedy Williams after his impressive 2017 campaign, so Fulton saw a heavy dose of targets. In his first game back, Fulton recorded three tackles and a couple of pass breakups.

His season would come to an early closing when he suffered a foot injury that needed surgery. The junior cornerback would cap off the season finishing with 25 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Deciding to return to school for his senior season, Fulton was the only experienced player in the cornerback room. The soft-spoken corner found himself in a position to be a leader of the room. LSU barrelled over the competition in 2019 on their way to winning the National Championship. In his senior season, Fulton came away with 32 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and one interception. Now, he begins the draft process to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.